HOT: Coffee Hit, 81 Church Street, Hawthorn

Posted: 3rd April 2010

One of the pieces of feedback I received from the MEL: HOT OR NOT Reader Survey 2010 was that you wanted to see more reviews from other people. I’m decisive, but I’m not necessary the Gospel According To Joyce.

That’s why you’ll be seeing more guest posts soon, from previous guest-posters to newbies. Today we welcome Melbourne blogger Ceri (otherwise known as Healthy Party Girl), who checked out great coffee in Kew. Thanks Ceri!

For those that complain about the lack of decent cafes in Kew, your prayers have been answered by Coffee Hit.

A fresh, new café and soon-to-be roasting house, Coffee Hit boasts young baristas with over twenty years of experience between them, the best Veneziano coffee, homemade food, and a fresh outlook on the café scene. I discovered this one just recently and will be making my way down as often as possible from now on. They’re so new that they don’t even have a website or business cards, and the most obvious address is taken by the just-sold store in Westfield Doncaster.

The young, funky team have already acquired regular customers and on Sunday afternoons they come in for a late breakfast and a chat, sharing the space with new faces that have discovered the recently opened corner shop. Owner Troy likes to have his fingers in as many pies as possible and is looking forward to starting the in-house bean roasting as soon as possible while juggling a young family and still being all hands on bar.

I shared an early afternoon snack with a friend while chatting to Troy as he demolished the eye-catching breakfast salad: poached eggs, bacon, feta, capsicum, rocket, avocado and croutons. In fact, all the food looks amazing. The counter displays home made muffins, paninis, tarts and slices – everything is made in-house apart from the bread & croissants which are brought in from a quality bakery in Port Melbourne.

Other drool-worthy menu items include the Hit Man Breakfast (complete with home made hash browns) and the Breakfast Bruschetta (smashed avocado, tomato, fetta and white balsamic) but the one thing you must try is the coffee. Troy and Sean effortlessly smash out perfect lattes, cappuccinos and macchiatos with gorgeous latte art and a cheeky grin. It’s obvious these boys have a passion for coffee and that’s before the cup even reaches your lips. Take a seat out the back or soak up the sun and the view with the paper at the big table in the front section.

It’s the details that really make Coffee Hit a lovely place to visit, from the Aesop products in the bathroom, the fridge full of organic bottled beverages, the menu clipboards hanging from hardware pegboard and the fresh daisies in little bottles all around the place, all giving Coffee Hit that fresh, laid-back and modern feel.

If you can’t get to Kew, you might be lucky enough to pass by one of their associated mobile coffee carts at Elwood Park for the occasional race day Sunday or on Burwood Highway (outside Beaurepairs) on weekday mornings. But for me, I’m hanging out for a latte from one of Troy’s own roasts. Lovely!

Absolutely disagree with the reveiw, having just eaten there and been charged $9 for 2 bits of dry sour dough toast and 2 mushrooms! The coffee might be great but I’m not a coffee drinker. I won’t be returning.

Top review and spot on. Kew is not claiming this one – it’s a welcome addition to Church St, Hawthorn. How long we’ve been stuck with the greasy spoon cafe further up the street?! Troy, welcome to the neighborhood and keep “smashing out” those fine lattes!!!

Yes the coffee is ok at coffee hit in Hawthorn, but for great FOOD and COFFEE, you should try wild toast in Kew.Up until now this place has been our local secret, but going on how busy it now is the word is out.